The Money in Politics (MIP) Review and Update Committee is providing ready-to-use resources and strategies to help understand the current system of campaign finance regulation. These materials, which we call “Meetings-in-a-Box,” are available online and are designed for Leagues to use for member and community events. They are intended to engage members and the general citizenry on MIP issues as they are evidenced nationally and in states and communities. In addition, they will help prepare members for the LWVUS update of its campaign finance position. This update of the League’s position on campaign finance will get member understanding and agreement on the extent to which the League thinks that financing a political campaign is protected speech under the First Amendment.

We know that members and Leagues have multiple demands on their time and resources. The Committee hopes these materials and suggestions will be helpful as you organize your League year. The Committee strives to provide current information in a rapidly changing environment. But we urge users of this information to keep “breaking news” coverage in mind. If you have questions, please contact Barbara Zia at MIPCommitteeChair@lwv.org.

SCOPE OF WORK

The Committee will provide educational materials and activities to inform members and citizenry about complex issues around money in politics. The Committee will conduct an update of the League’s position on campaign finance for the purpose of addressing the lack of member understanding and agreement on the extent to which political campaigns are protected speech under the First Amendment. The campaign finance position will be updated through a study and consensus process to consider:

The rights of individuals and organizations, under the First Amendment, to express their political views through independent expenditures and the finance of election campaign activities; and

How those rights, if any, should be protected and reconciled with the interests set out in the current position.

The committee will identify study materials, prepare a substantive leaders guide and consensus questions for board approval on a timeline approved by the Board.

ENGAGING MEMBERS AND YOUR COMMUNITY: WHAT LEAGUES CAN DO

Make Money in Politics a theme for the year. Organize educational events using readings, speaker ideas, PowerPoint presentation, culminating in a consensus meeting where your members discuss and reach agreement on consensus questions.

Form local League Money in Politics Committee to coordinate activities. Consider inviting non-League experts on campaign finance issues to serve on the committee.

Hold informational meetings for members and the general public. Here are some suggestions to consider:

Use the PowerPoint presentation and issue papers as basic building blocks for activities.

Start with a "pop" quiz –See what people know about campaign finance. Discuss the responses.

Invite speaker(s) or a panel. Possible sources for presenters include: your state LWV; faculty from local colleges and universities, such as political science departments or law school; your state’s chief election administrator; state and local government ethics officials; journalists.

For a panel, represent opposing views on limiting money in politics. Political science and constitutional scholars disagree among themselves on the issue. And your state ACLU may provide someone to present the ACLU position (ACLU filed an amicus brief on the side of the plaintiffs in Citizens United and McCutcheon)

Invite speakers to address how campaign finance is regulated and enforced in your state.

Video record and post on your website and social media, and/or share on local cable access TV.

Invite non-League groups to attend. Examples include: Chamber of Commerce and other business organizations, Rotary, Lions, Masons, Kiwanis, AAUW, faith groups, parent organizations, higher education classes and faculty, and middle and senior high school social studies classes and faculty.

See below for possible meeting outlines.*

Use the Activity in the States template to understand money in politics regulations and enforcement in your state or community. Report the information gathered to your members and general citizenry via meetings, newsletters, and social media.

Participate in the Money in Politics member study and consensus. Consensus materials will be available in mid-October 2015. Hold a consensus meeting and report results to LWVUS by February 1, 2016.

Provide LWV information table where attendees can join the LWV and sign an email list.

EDUCATIONAL MEETING SUGGESTIONS

For a one-hour meeting

Show the PowerPoint presentation with script – Approximately 40-45 minutes.

Discussion time with prepared and audience questions.

For a two-hour meeting

Show the PowerPoint presentation with script – Approximately 40-45 minutes.

Panel discussions with experts (who have reviewed the power point and discussion questions). Let panelists react to the PowerPoint in their own way and respond to prepared and audience questions.